Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-10-01
ton in verv much undertona


Catharine. He introduced to his house
and table a crop-headed, sharb-tongued
lady Of advanced ideas, and a long
haired. long-winded, long-nosed, and
lOng-legged gentleman crank, and with
these he talked continually Of "aliini-
ties" kindred souls, foolish bar
riers of legal and social restriction, 3"
and ike topics, nearly ell of which
were as Greek TO the simple-minded
little wife, though she had an indefn-
able, uncomfortable feeling that it
wasn't nice or entirely proper.
Dick seemed more and more infatu-
ated with the new doctrine: occasion
ally he would appear cold or slightly
neglectful Of some attention, and it
worried her more than a little.
Then he began eagerly to inquire
when Catty was coming, to urge Lis
wife TO write and hurry her sisters ar
rival And Minnie wondered and fret
ted still more.
At last, one day, during Dicks alb
sence from home, Catty came. When
Richard met her on his return his
greeting was more than brotherly. He
vowed she should have written him so
he could have met her with the car
riage, and he actually kissed and en-
braced her, while his wife stood by,
wholly overlooked, wide-eyed, and feel
ing--she didn't exactly know how, but
paralyzed with establishment and
something.
After that Dick was the most atten-
tive, the most devoted; if he hadn't
been married, any one might, could,
would and should have said, clover
to the ugly spinster, while his was left
to alnuse and console herself as best
she could. In iu-ftting, horribly
mixed, cheap, and tawdry fnery, Catty
was "beaued" by Dick to theaters,
operas, fairs, picture and flower shows,
and every place Of entertainment. He
invariably had only 1.-TWO" tickets for
these and his wife was each time
quietly ignored with the remark:
you know you don't care for such
things, Minnie, and she, poor little
soul, would sigh and say nothing.
When there was no sightseeing Of an
evening, Dick insisted on Catty's seat
ing herself at the piano, and while she
would maui the keys and murder the
vOcalization, he hung over her in rap
ture, until Minnie, who had a sweet lit
tie voice, that her husband used to say
was the essence of soul-music, sat
trembling with jealousy and heart-sick-
ness.
Catty assumed more high and mighty
airs than ever, ruled the house, patron
lied with a plying sort of manner, her
sister, and ordered Dick around like a
slave.
Such "goin's on" could not last.
They didn't.
Little Minnie had plenty Of spirit in
her makeup, only she had not known
it until her wifely feelings were out
ragged so continually and obnoxiously
Catty's visit had extended into its
third week, when, one night after re-
IN from the opera of the ancient and
husband, she saw the latter en-
brace her sister in the hall and imprint
sounding kiss on the thin, willing
lips, he not seeming to care if his wife
were within sight or hearing.
Mrs. Richard Thornton, a little later,
visited her sisters room, where that
lady was Just about doing" the thin
whisp of dry-straw-like, mill-dewed-
cOlored thatch she called her back
hair.
What passed in that room, what was
said, what and who "hew around" and
upset things, and what sort of a cy-
clonic blizzard swirled about that
apartment, we would not picture even
if pen could do the matter Justice.
Minnie came to Dicks side, in tears
and agitation. The spinster after
several yelps for "Diclll Richard Dear
Dick!" to "save her from this fury, 4"
subsidized sufficiently to be inaudible
through the doors and partitions.
Dick must have slept like all of the
seven sleepers to be unconscious of the
racket. But he was In bed through it
all and never moved eye or limb. He
was up and away very early in the
morning; when ne returned that even
ing Catty was gone, bag and baggage.
She. the short-haired woman, or the
long-haired man. have never entered
Dicks home; since he has never men
toned affnities or growled at social re-
strictiOns. Twenty-four hours Of the
old loving, tender ways and words re-
stored Minnie to her former confidence
in her husband, to a peace and perfect
happiness, that has never again suffered
the slightest shock.
Perhaps the dear little woman, grown
more worldly wise, guesses that Dick
was playing a game on her" but no
sign has she shown of her knowledge
or belief.
And Richard, when he meets an IN
fortunate friend in like or somewhat
similar predicament, whispers, as he
smiles pleasantly. my boy, whatever
you do, never raise a row about your
wife's female relatives or friends If
you want to get rid Of them. make lore
to EN-"
The proprietor OF the s.Piain Dealer, -
Fort Madison, Iowa, Mr.. J. 81. Duffus,
writes: 1.-TWO years ago 1 was cured OF
rheumatism IN my knee; have had no
return; two applications did the work %
Permanent cure.
A Pike That Travelled On Land.
A singular fact in connection with
the pike Is its habit of suddenly APP
I